Our lives are like gardens; nurturing, love, water, and food
help us each to grow and thrive. Too
little or too much water or food and the garden will struggle to thrive; some
plants will persevere and make it through and others will wilt or die.
I have neglected my garden these past few months; as I have
been neglecting myself with too much work and not enough rest.
Today I went out into the garden and found it is in
transition from Summer to Fall with some plants overgrown and in need of
cutting back, others struggling to survive among the weeds that have tried to
invade, and some a bit dry and going dormant. I started by trimming the spent flowers and dried branches
to make way for the budding blooms and new leaves. I worked my way to cutting
back some of the branches that had grown into the path or started crowding the
adjacent plant; and I started to pull weeds some growing in the middle of
mature plants. There is much
to do…. I will tackle it again tomorrow and perhaps a little each day until it is
time to plant a few seedlings and then let the garden rest and rejuvenate.
Some plants I am leaving alone a bit longer – Mugwort is
blooming so beautifully I cannot bear to cut her back yet.
Lavender is huge and needs to be taken down to its base to
rejuvenate but I will wait until her fragrant flowers have faded, as she is
still so beautiful.
Japanese Anemone is contained to prevent runners and is
finally in bloom – each Summer I anticipate this beautiful sight.
While working in the garden today I realized that the garden
in transition is a metaphor for my life.
To help it thrive, I must tend to it, weed, water, add mulch; however I
cannot control the temperature, possible frost, or the wind or rain. These can
and will impact the garden and some plants will respond better than others to
the changing weather. Spring will bring the promise of new delights and young
blooms.
I too am in transition. I have made a major change in my
life without a clear vision of the future. Despite my unidentified future I am happy
and calm, confident that tending to my garden and my soul will lead me in the
right direction. My life is not
controlled by the weather, but I am certain that like my garden I too will
plant some new seeds and revitalize and blossom as the seasons change.
My reward for working in the garden today was a bowl of
homemade yogurt with figs from my garden and a drizzle of local Somis honey –
Simply Delish!
Until next time… may you find
enjoyment in food and nature,
Marla
